Separable plaster cast



April 16, 1963 l. L. cooK ETAL SEPARABLE PLASTER CAST 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16. 1960 3493131 2-: 1 I in: l 95 95,? 5.... .355. r

jVENTORJ April 16, 1963 1.1.. cooK ETAL SEPARAB-LE PLASTER CAST u M mam M m Uzd H g fi w 2 f M m/ 6 M\ J 3 m5 Filed Feb. 16, 1960 United States Patent 3,085,569 SEPARABLE PLASTER CAST Irving L. Cook and Douglas L. Cook, timing, Wis. Filed Feb. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 8,986 16 Claims. (Cl. l2891) The principal object of this invention is to provide a separable plaster cast which may be readily, quickly and accurately applied to a body member, which may be readily and quickly removed without danger of cutting or abrading the body member, and which may be readily, quickly and accurately reapplied to the body member after it has been removed.

The separable removable plaster cast of this invention has particular utility where it is desired to remove and replace the same, in the event of the development of pressure spots or excessive swelling of the body member, or for cleaning or bathing purposes, or for the treatment of open wounds, X-ray exposure or physiotherapy, or for permitting visual or digital examination of the body member. The separable removable plaster cast of this invention saves considerable time of the attending physician and it is usable for any member of the body where plaster casts are normally used, and where the cast of this invention is for the leg and foot member, it may be readily provided with a heel plate assembly for Walking purposes.

A further object of this invention is directed to the method of applying such a separable removable plaster cast to a body member, the application thereof being simple and foolproof, and the removal and reapplica tion thereof also being simple and foolproof.

Briefly, in accordance with this invention, a separable slide fastener assembly is temporarily attached, as by adhesive tape or the like, to each of the anterior and posterior of the body member to be encased. If desired, a conventional thin knit or felted wrapper may first be applied to the body member in the usual fashion. Each separable slide fastener assembly includes a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs thereon.

Wet plaster impregnated bandages are then wrapped around the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said bandages. The rubber-like strips prevent the plaster from getting to and clogging the slide fasteners. When the plaster sets and hardens, a complete and solid plaster cast is formed about the body member and the prongs of the metal clips are firmly embedded in the plaster cast to firmly anchor the separable slide fastener assemblies thereto.

After the plaster cast is set and hardened, it is then out along the two separable slide fastener assemblies, in two cuts, preferably by means of the usual double oscillating saw, to remove an elongated plaster strip from between the firmly embedded rows of prongs of the metal clips of the slide fastener assemblies to expose the rubberlike strips and separate the plaster cast into two parts held together by the slide fastener assemblies. Preferably, the outside of the rubber strip is provided with a guide line to aid in guiding the oscillating saw as the cast is being cut. The rubber-like strips, due to their resiliency and flexibility, are not cut by the oscillating saw, and they, therefore, prevent damage to the slide fastener assemblies and prevent cutting or abrading of the body member. They also indicate, by feel, to the operator of the oscillating saw when the plaster of the cast is cut 3,085,569 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 through to the rubber-like strips. This feature of this invention, the use of rubber-like strips in a plaster cast, to prevent cutting or abrading of the body member by the oscillating saw, is also applicable to conventional plaster casts (not using separable slide fasteners) and is also contemplated in the invention hereof.

After the rubber-like strips are so exposed, they are cut with scissors or the like to expose the protected slide fasteners of the firmly anchored assemblies. The sliders of the slide fasteners may then be manipulated readily to separate and remove the separable plaster cast from the body member, and to reapply and secure the same thereto. As the slider is manipulated, a spoon like protector member may be utilized to space the slider from the body member for preventing pinching of the skin, pulling of hair or clogging of the fastener by the inner wrapper if utilized.

Where the separable plaster cast of this invention is applied to a leg and foot member of the body, it may be provided with a separable heel plate assembly, which includes a pair of spaced apart support members having laterally extending rails, a heel knob arranged between the spaced apart foot members, and a bolt extending through the heel knob and the support members for separably securing the same together. The separable heel assembly is placed over the separable slide fastener assembly on the bottom of the foot, and the rails thereof are provided with outwardly extending prongs which are embedded in the plaster cast as the plaster impregnated bandages are wrapped thereover. When the plaster cast is sawed in halves, as outlined above, the bolt and heel knob are removed to allow sawing of the plaster cast between the support members down to the rubber-like strips, each support member being firmly anchored in the respective parts of the separable cast. The provision of this separable heel plate assembly also forms a feature of this invention.

The tape of the slide fastener assembly may be provided with an eyelet, and a wire may be extended through the eyelet and a hole in the slider and sealed by the physician to prevent unauthorized removal of the cast, if this be desired.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body member, such as a leg member, illustrating one phase of the application of the separable plaster cast of this invention to the body member;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the completed separable plaster cast as applied to the body member;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view. of some of the elements forming the separable slide fastener assemblies of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completed separable slide fastener assembly of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the separable slide fastener assembly taken substantially along the line '55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional View through the separable plaster cast taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the plaster cast sawed to expose the rubber-like strip and the rubber-like strip cut to expose the slide fastener;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the separable plaster cast being removed from the body member;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the separable plaster cast of this invention as applied to a different body member such as the torso;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the separable plaster cast of this invention applied to still a different body member, such as a leg and foot member;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 11--11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of the metal clips which is utilized in the separable slide fastener assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 4-8;

FIG. 13 is a perspective View of another form of the metal clip which may be utilized in the separable slide fastener assembly;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view through a portion of the slide fastener assembly showing the metal clip of FIG. 13 applied thereto.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the use of the spoon-like protector in connection with the opening and closing of the slide fastener; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1616 of FIG. 15.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the separable plaster cast of this invention is generally designated at 10 and is shown to be applied to a body member 11 such as a leg member. In forming the separable plaster cast of this invention, a pair of separable slide fastener assemblies 12 are utilized, one separable slide fastener being temporarily attached to the anterior of the body member 1 1 and the other being temporarily attached to the posterior of the body member, as by means of adhesive tape or the like applied to the ends of the assemblies. If desired, a conventional thin knit or felted wrapper may first be applied to the body member in the usual fashion.

The construction of the separable slide fastener asssemblies 12 is illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 3-5. Each separable slide fastener assembly includes a pair of fabric tapes 13 which are separably fastened together by a slide fastener 14 controlled in the usual manner by a slider 15 having a pull tab 15a. A rubber-like strip 16 overlies and protects the tapes 13 and the slide fastener 14, the rubber-like strip being resilient and flexible and being formed of rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene or the like. A plurality of metal clips 17, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 12, are attached in rows along the edges of the tapes 13 and the rubber-like strip 16. The metal clips 17 are clamped over the tapes 13 and the rubber-like strip 16 and prongs 18 formed on the clips 17 penetrate through the tapes 13 and rubber-like strip 16 for firmly securing the clips thereon. The clips are also provided with prongs 19, which are preferably barbed prongs, which extend outwardly from the rubber-like strip 16.

After the separable slide fastener assemblies 12 are temporarily secured to the body member 11 in the manner expressed above, with the prongs 19 thereof extending outwardly, bandages 22 impregnated with wet plaster, such as plaster of Paris, are wrapped around the body member 11 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the prongs 19 penetrating and becoming embedded in the plaster impregnated bandages. The wrapping of the plaster impregnated bandages 22 is continued until the desired plaster cast is formed as illustrated in FIG. 2. The rubber-like strips 16 prevent the plaster from getting to and clogging the slide fasteners 14. When the plaster carried by the bandages sets and hardens, a complete solid plaster cast is formed about the body member and the prongs 19 of the metal clips 17 are firmly embedded in the hardened plaster cast to firmly anchor the separable slide fastener assemblies 12 thereto, this being illustrated in FIG. 6-.

After the plaster cast 22 is set and hardened, it is then cut along the two separable slide fastener assemblies 12, in two cuts 23, by means of the usual surgical double oscillating saw, as illustrated in FIG. 6. These cuts 23 form an elongated plaster strip 24 therebetween which is removed during the cutting to expose the rubber-like strip 16 and separate the plaster cast in two parts held together by the slide fastener assemblies 12. The cuts 23 are between the rows of prongs 19 so that the rows of prongs remain firmly embedded in the plaster cast, to keep the separable slide fastener assemblies firmly anchored thereto. The rubber-like strips 16, due to their resiliency and flexibility, are not cut by the oscillating saw, and they, therefore, prevent damage to the slide fastener assemblies 12 and prevent cutting or abrading of the body member 11. They indicate, by feel, to the operator of the oscillating saw when the plaster of the cast 22 is cut through to the rubber-like strips 16. Preferably, the outside of the rubber strip 16 is centrally provided with a guide line to assist in guiding the oscillating saw during the cutting operation.

After the rubber-like strips 16 are so exposed, they are cut, as indicated at in FIG. 7, with scissors or the like to expose the protected slide fastener 14 of the firmly anchored assemblies. The sliders 15 of the slide fasteners may then be readily manipulated by the pull tabs 15:: between the cuts 23 in the plaster cast 22 and the cuts 25 in the rubber-like strips 16 to separate and remove the separable plaster cast from the body member 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and to reapply and secure the same thereto.

To prevent pinching of the skin of the body member, or pulling of hair, or clogging of the slide fastener by the under wrapping if used, a spoon-shaped protector 26 is interposed between the slider 15 and the body member 11 as the slider is moved along the fasteners 14, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The protector 26 is provided with a handle portion 27 which is simultaneously grasped with the pull tab 15a of the slider 15, both the slider 15 and protector 26 being simultaneously manually moved with the protector 26 protecting the body member 11 from the slider 15 as it is opening and closing the fasteners 14.

One of the tapes 13, as shown in FIG. 3, may be provided with an eyelet 50, and a wire 51 may be extended through the eyelet and a hole in the pull tab 15a of the slider 15 and sealed by a seal 52. Thus, the slide fastener cannot be manipulated to remove the cast without breaking the seal, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the cast without the knowledge of the attending physician.

Another form of the metal clip which may be utilized in the separable slide fastener assemblies 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 at 28. It includes the prong 29 for penetrating into the plaster cast and it also includes a pair of prongs 30 which penetrate through the rubber-like strip 16 and tapes 13, the prongs 30 being clenched over within the confines of the metal clip 28 as shown in FIG. 14 so as to prevent injury to the body member. After the metal clips 28 are applied to the separable slide fastener assemblies 12, they perform the same function as the metal clips 17 illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 12.

The separable plaster cast of this invention may be applied to any body member where conventional plaster casts are normally applied. As for example, in FIG. 9, there is shown a separable plaster cast 32 applied to the torso of the body, this plaster cast having the separable slide fastener assemblies 12 on the anterior and posterior of the torso. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the separable plaster cast 35 of this invention is shown as being applied to a different body member, namely, the leg and foot member 36, 37. Here, one slide fastener assembly 12 is arranged along the front and top of the leg and foot member 36, 37 and the other separable slide fastener assembly is arranged along the back and bottom of the leg and foot member 36, 37. For purposes of illustration herein, the metal clips 28 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are utilized in FIGS. 10 and 11 in lieu of the metal clips 17 utilized in FIGS. 1-8, although either may be used. Like reference characters have been utilized for like parts in the slide fastener assemblies.

After the bottom slide fastener assembly has been applied to the back and bottom of the leg and foot member 36, 3'7 and after bandages impregnated with wet plaster have been partially wrapped around the leg and foot member 36, 37, a separable heel plate assembly is placed over the partially wrapped bandages in alignment with the slide fastener assembly as shown in FIG. 11. The separable heel plate construction includes a pair of spaced apart support members 39 which have laterally extending rails 40 provided with outwardly facing prongs 4-1. A knob member 42 having an extension 43 is arranged between the support members 39, and the knob 42 and the support members 39 are secured together as by means of a bolt 44. After the separable heel plate assembly is so positioned, the Wrapping of the wet plaster bandages is continued until the desired plaster cast 35 is built up. After the plaster cast sets and hardens, the bolt 44 and the knob member 42 are removed so as to provide access between the support members 39, the plaster cast 35 is then sawed by the oscillating saw, as described above, between the support members 39 and along the bottom separable slide fastener assembly for the purpose of exposing the rubber-like strip 16. Thus, by reason of the separable heel plate assembly and the separable slide fastener assemblies, the plaster cast 35 of FIGS. and 11 may be readily removed and reapplied by manipulation of the slide fasteners. After the cast is reapplied by manipulating the slide fasteners, the knob member 4-2 is inserted between the support members 39 and clamped in place by the bolt 44 to form a sturdy heel plate assembly for the separable plaster cast 35.

While, for purposes of illustration, several forms of this invention have been disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast to a body member comprising, temporarily attaching to each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member a separable slide fastener assembly in- 'with the prongs thereof penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies, sawing an elongated plaster strip from the plaster cast above each separable slide fastener assembly between the rows of metal clips thereof to expose the rubber-like strips thereof and divide the plaster cast into two parts, and cutting the rubber-like strips of the separable slide fastener assemblies to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable plaster cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

2. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast having a heel plate to a body leg and foot member comprising, temporarily attaching to the front and top and to the rear and bottom of the body leg and foot member a separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, placing over the separable slide fastener assembly at the bottom of the body leg and foot member a separable heel plate having a pair of spaced apart rails provided with outwardly extending prongs, wrapping wet plaster impregnated bandages about the body leg and foot member with the prongs of the separable slide fastener assemblies and the prongs of the separable heel plate penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body leg and foot member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies and heel plate, sawing an elongated plaster strip from the plaster cast above each separable slide fastener assembly between the rows of metal clips thereof and the rails of the heel plate to expose the rubber-like strips and divide the plaster cast into two parts, and cutting the rubber-like strips of the separable slide fastener assemblies to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable plaster cast and its separable heel plate from the body leg and foot member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

3. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, elongated slots cut in said plaster impregnated bandages above each slide fastener assembly between the rows of metal clips thereof with the rubber-like strips thereof exposed, and said rubber-like strips of said slide fastener assemblies being cut to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

4. A separable plaster cast having a heel plate for a body leg and foot member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along the front and top of the body leg and foot member and along the rear and bottom of the body leg and foot member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubberlike strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, a separable heel plate assembly arranged at the bottom of the body leg and foot member and overlying the separable slide fastener assembly thereat and including a pair of spaced apart rails provided with outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body leg and foot member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies and the rails of the separable heel plate assembly with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies and heel plate thereto, elongated slots cut in said plaster impregnated plaster bandages above each slide fastener assembly between the rows of metal clips thereof and between the rails of the heel plate assembly with the rubber-like strips of the slide fastener assemblies exposed, and said rubber-like strips of said slide fastener assemblies being cut to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body leg and foot member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

5. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same to gether and having outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips to expose the latter, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

6. A separable plaster cast having a heel plate for a body leg and foot member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along the front and top of the body leg and foot member and along the rear and bottom of the body leg and foot member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like .strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, a separable heel plate assembly arranged at the bottom of the body leg and foot member and overlying the separable slide fastener assembly thereat and including a pair of spaced apart rails provided with outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body leg and foot member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies and the rails of the separable heel plate assembly with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies and heel plate thereto, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body leg and foot member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips between the rows of prongs of the separable slide fastener assemblies and between the rails of the separable heel plate assembly, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body leg and foot member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

7. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast to a body member comprising, temporarily attaching to each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member a separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, wrapping wet plaster impregnated bandages about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips to expose the latter, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

8. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast having a heel plate to a body leg and foot member comprising, temporarily attaching to the front 8 and top and to the rear and bottom of the body leg and foot member a separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, placing over the separable slide fastener assembly at the bottom of the body leg and foot member a separable heel plate having a pair of spaced apart rails provided with outwardly extending prongs, wrapping wet plaster impregnated bandages about the body leg and foot member with the prongs of the separable slide fastener assemblies and the prongs of the separable heel plate penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body leg and foot member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies and the heel plate, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body leg and foot member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubberlike strips between the rows of prongs of the separable slide fastener assemblies and between the rails of the separable heel plate assembly, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body leg and foot member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

9. A separable slide fastener assembly for incorporation into a separable plaster cast comprising, a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together, said metal clips having prongs extending upwardly from the rubber-like strip for penetrating the plaster cast applied over the separable slide fastener assembly.

10. A separable heel plate assembly for incorporation into the foot portion of a separable foot and leg plaster cast comprising, a pair of support members spaced apart a distance less than the width of the foot portion of the cast and having laterally outwardly extending rails, a heel knob arranged between the spaced apart support members, a bolt extending through the heel knob and the support members for separably securing the same together, and prongs extending from the rails for penetrating the plaster cast applied over the rails of the separable heel plate assembly.

11. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener and slider with pull tab separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, elongated slots cut in said plaster impregnated bandages above each slide fastener assembly between the rows of metal clips thereof with the rubberlike strips thereof exposed, and said rubber-like strips of said slide fastener assemblies being cut to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto, an eyelet in one of the tapes near one end thereof, a wire adapted to extend through the eyelet and a hole in the pull tab of the slider to prevent movement of the slider, and a seal for the wire to prevent unauthorized movement of the slider and removal of the separable cast from the body member.

12. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a pair of fabric tapes, a slide fastener and slider with pull tab separably fastening the tapes together, a rubber-like strip overlying and protecting the tapes and the slide fastener, and a plurality of metal clips attached in rows along the edges of the tapes and the rubber-like strip for securing the same together and having outwardly extending prongs, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips to expose the latter, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto, an eyelet in one of the tapes near one end thereof, a wire adapted to extend through the eyelet and a hole in the pull tab of the slider to prevent movement of the slider, and a seal for the wire to prevent unauthorized movement of the slider and removal of the separable cast from the body member.

13. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast to a body member comprising, temporarily attaching to each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member a separable slide fastener assembly including a separable slide fastener, outwardly extending prongs carried by both parts of the separable slide fastener and a rubber-like strip overlying the separable slide fastener, wrapping wet plaster impregnated bandages about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners from the plaster and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips to expose the latter, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

14. The method of forming and applying a separable plaster cast to a body member comprising, temporarily attaching to each of the anterior and the posterior of the body member a separable slide fastener assembly including a separable slide fastener, outwardly extending prongs carried by both parts of the separable slide fastener and a rubber-like strip overlying the separable slide fastener, wrapping Wet plaster impregnated bandages about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said bandages, allowing the plaster to harden to form a complete solid plaster cast about the body member which is anchored by the prongs to the separable slide fastener assemblies, sawing an elongated plaster strip from the plaster cast above each separable slide fastener assembly between the prongs thereof to expose the rubber-like strips thereof and divided the plaster cast into two parts, and cutting the rubber-like strips of the separable slide fastener assemblies to expose the slide fasteners thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable plaster cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

15. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a separable slide fastener, outwardly extending prongs carried by both parts of the separable slide fastener and a rubber-like strip overlying the separable slide fastener, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, said rubber-like strips protecting said slide fasteners from the plaster and preventing cutting or abrasion of the body member when the plaster impregnated bandages are sawed along the rubber-like strips to expose the latter, and said slide fasteners being exposed when the rubber-like strips are cut to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

16. A separable plaster cast for a body member comprising, a separable slide fastener assembly arranged along each of the anterior and posterior of the body member, each separable slide fastener assembly including a separable slide fastener, outwardly extending prongs carried by both parts of the separable slide fastener and a rubberlike strip overlying the separable slide fastener, plaster impregnated bandages wrapped about the body member and over the separable slide fastener assemblies with the prongs thereof penetrating said plaster impregnated bandages and anchoring the slide fastener assemblies thereto, elongated slots cut in said plaster impregnated bandages above each separable slide fastener assembly between the prongs thereof with the rubber-like strips thereof exposed, and said rubber-like strips of said slide fastener assemblies being cut to expose the slide fastener thereof to allow separation and removal of the separable cast from the body member and subsequent reapplication thereof thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,693,805 Bradley et al. Dec. 4, 1928 2,013,847 Gephardt Sept. 10, 1935 2,103,942 Gillin Dec. 28, 1937 2,206,339 Ulman July 2, 1940 2,463,840 Winterhalter Mar. 8, 1949 2,480,849 Gersh Sept. 6, 1949 2,605,761 Wiltrout Aug. 5, 1952 2,820,272 Humphreys Jan. 21, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,054,660 Germany June 28, 1954 OTHER REFERENCES Zimmer Fracture Appliance Catalogue, Feb. 1, 1947, page 118 relied on, copy in Division 55. 

1. THE METHOD OF FORMING AND APPLYING A SEPARABLE PLASTER CAST TO A BODY MEMBER COMPRISING, TEMPORARILY ATTACHING TO EACH OF THE ANTERIOR AND THE POSTERIOR OF THE BODY MEMBER A SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PAIR OF FABRIC TAPES, A SLIDE FASTENER SEPARABLY FASTENING THE TAPES TOGETHER, A RUBBER-LIKE STRIP OVERLYING AND PROTECTING THE TAPES AND THE SLIDE FASTENER AND A PLURALITY OF METAL CLIPS ATTACHED IN ROWS ALONG THE EDGES OF THE TAPES AND RUBBER-LIKE STRIP FOR SECURING THE SAME TOGETHER AND HAVING OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PRONGS, WRAPPING WET PLASTER IMPREGNATED BANDAGES ABOUT THE BODY MEMBER AND OVER THE SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLIES WITH THE PRONGS THEREOF PENETRATING SAID BANDAGES, ALLOWING THE PLASTER TO HARDEN TO FORM A COMPLETE SOLID PLASTER CAST ABOUT THE BODY MEMBER WHICH IS ANCHORED BY THE PRONGS TO THE SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLIES, SAWING AN ELONGATED PLASTER STRIP FROM THE PLASTER CAST ABOVE EACH SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLY BETWEEN THE ROWS OF METAL CLIPS THEREOF TO EXPOSE THE RUBBER-LIKE STRIPS THEREOF AND DIVIDE THE PLASTER CAST INTO TWO PARTS, AND CUTTING THE RUBBER-LIKE STRIPS OF THE SEPARABLE SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLIES TO EXPOSE THE SLIDE FASTENERS THEREOF TO ALLOW SEPARATION AND REMOVAL OF THE SEPARABLE PLASTER CAST FROM THE BODY MEMBER AND SUBSEQUENT REAPPLICATION THEREOF THERETO. 